Chapter 78

Dinner was chicken nuggets and mac and cheese—Charlotte’s favorite—but Emma barely tasted her food. Every time she tried to bring up the Maple Leafs call, something interrupted her.

First, Frankie spilled his milk. Then Charlotte decided to tell them a very long, very detailed story about her friend Sophie’s pet hamster. Then Alek’s phone rang with a work call he claimed he couldn’t ignore.

“Sorry,” he mouthed, stepping into the kitchen. “It’s the league office.”

Emma nodded and helped Charlotte cut her nuggets into smaller pieces, listening to Alek’s muffled conversation. Professional stuff. Schedule changes. Nothing urgent.

He was avoiding her. She was sure of it.

“Mama, why are you making angry faces at your food?” Charlotte asked.

“I’m not making angry faces.”

“Yes, you are. Like this.” Charlotte scrunched up her face in an exaggerated scowl that made Frankie giggle.

“Finish your dinner, Charlotte.”

Alek returned just as Emma